Entry Thirty-Six

Date: June 6, 300 After Landing, Spring, Long Winter

Location: Sea Dragon Point

You know, news of the south has always been slow to reach the North. From what I understand, even after the War of Conquest 300 years ago, news would spread through the south and burn out before it ever reached the ear of a Northerner. It was even worse for those places far from Winterfell, White Harbor or Castle Black. So it is something of a major event when recent news spreads just as quickly in both halves of Westeros.

King's Landing has burned.

Not all of it. About a quarter of the massive city, but it was more than enough to kill a hundred thousand of its people. The massive blazes could be seen for miles. Apparently, the incident was caused by an altercation between the "Sparrows," a large collection of true believers of the Faith of the Seven who believed their religion was under attack, began assaulting the Red Priests in the city. From the witnesses, it seems most of the Priests and Priestesses somehow knew of the impending attack and left the city the night before. Those few who didn't know were pulled into the streets and set ablaze to "test their faith."

One of these attacks happened to take place near the Alchemist Guild while they were in the process of transporting Wildfire. The green substance, once set alight, cannot easily be put out and in the meantime it burns everything and spreads as easily as wine from cup to mouth. A few people were set alight, who then ran into other people who then ran into homes and businesses in search of help.

While the city burned, taking most of the angry and armed "Sparrows" with it, the Red Priests returned and formed a living wall that stopped the fire from spreading. They claim that their God warned them, and then sent them to stop the spread and save the innocent…who are now converting to the Lord of Light in droves.

This…fanatical religion worries me. Not the religion itself, but how the people who embrace it the fiercest remind me of Red Skull and HYDRA.

Got a letter from King Eddard today. All seems well in the Kingdom's Capital, and the school I built there is doing well. Luwin and the other skilled healers are teaching all who wish to learn the crafts, as well as how to read and write, while paper production is increasing. I should soon have my own paper production completed here as well, and after that a press. He did mention how Jon Snow has returned to the Wall, but this time as the Lord Commander of the Northern Rangers, taking residence at Eastwatch-by-the-Sea. I think the boy will do great things there. Arya finally beat Syrio (it was a lucky shot, but certainly it is progress), and he is very proud of her. Her small victory has only made her try harder.

And Robb is engaged to Alys Karstark, eldest (and only) daughter of House Karstark from Karhold.

Oh, and Asha and her Ironborn left last night. Her builders are still here, helping me with the docks and the Capital building, and they seem likely to stay.